[1] During the off-season, the Nuggets signed free agents Isaiah Rider and Avery Johnson.
Things would only get worse on December 11, 2001, after a 99–96 home loss to the Charlotte Hornets, as head coach Dan Issel got into hot water after yelling a racial slur at a Mexican fan; Issel was suspended for four games and was forced to resign, being replaced by his assistant Mike Evans after a 9–17 start.
[6][7][8] At mid-season, Nick Van Exel was traded along with Johnson, Raef LaFrentz and Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Juwan Howard, All-Star guard Tim Hardaway, and second-year forward Donnell Harvey.
[9][10][11][12] The Nuggets went on a 7-game losing streak in March, and finished sixth in the Midwest Division with a 27–55 record.
[14] Following the season, McDyess was traded to the New York Knicks,[15][16] while Voshon Lenard signed as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors,[17] Calbert Cheaney signed with the Utah Jazz,[18] George McCloud was traded to the Washington Wizards, but was released to free agency, Hardaway was released, and Evans was fired as head coach.